fix my leaks, Lord

If you've ever listened
to one of those
meditation apps...

Or a sleep time
recording
which help lull you
with nature sounds...

They will often advise
to picture yourself
in a serene environment.

Sitting still...
by a babbling brook.
under light rain on a tin roof.
near a cascading waterfall.
under a canopy of leaves in the rain.

But never have I heard
the advice
to focus
on a dripping faucet.

That repetitive,
singular...
drip,
drop,
drip,
drop,
drip.

There is something
in it's tone,
in it's singularity,
in it's rhythm
that does not soothe.

But rather, rubs raw
the already sore
and irritated stress-point.

So it is,
when someone lends
unwanted
opinion
to the already
frustrated
open wound
we suffer.

We simply
do not want
one more
drip
drop,
drip,
drop,
drip
fallen
on top.

It's often enough
to overflow
the well of tears
we have held back.

And yet we wonder…
"Do they even know
how I feel?"

That is the fool
who gives
a comment.

One that was not
considered
before spoken.

Knowledge flows like
spring water from the wise;
fools are leaky faucets,
dripping nonsense.
Proverbs 15:2 (MSG)

But refreshing
are the words
that soothe.

Like sitting still...
by a babbling brook.
under light rain on a tin roof.
near a cascading waterfall.
under a canopy of leaves in the rain.

These can only be spoken
from wisdom.

From a person who has stood
where we stand.

From one who has walked
this path before.

From someone who knows…
has experienced
our situation.

These are words
that spring to life.

These are words
refreshing
and honest,
encouraging
and true.

I long to give
such words…
as much as I long
to receive them.

Word of God,
train me today...
to know when to hold my tongue,
sensitive to other's pain,
to be that just right
spring of water,
with refreshing life
from You, just in time
of other's need.

Lord,
Let me consider when
I will simply be
a dripping faucet
to someone else.

Causing more irritation
than good.

Let me rather
think, before I speak...

Do I have a word
of knowledge for them?
Can I be a place
of refreshment, today?

And when I cannot,
let me at least
lift these friends to You.

As You are the living water
that refreshes all.

You have the words
that spring to life
all knowledge,
all power,
all that we need.
​
Lord,
help me be wise.